Of course, there are plenty out there taking blind guesses at this stuff. It’s easy to pick the most popular player or look at what happened in the last game. However, we spent the time pouring through the analytics to make sure that we give you the best odds to stay in the green on these first FG props for January 25.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – January 25
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers
Tipoff – 7:00 pm EST
Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, Indiana
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
Pretty much every set of teams playing in the Association on Thursday have early game stats that are right on each other’s heels. The Pacers and 76ers are no exception. The 76ers hold a slight advantage on the first buckets (just 3.3%). They also hold a meager 5.7% advantage on the tip. That lead expands a bit when Embiid is in the lineup and taking the tip, which hasn’t always been the case – but will be Thursday.
With those slight leans, we’re going to get on a 76ers player for the action. We’re riding quite a bit of chalk here, but I think all the value is on Embiid here. Not only has he gotten each of the last two first buckets for the 76ers, he seemed to be the only one shooting the ball early in those games (or late for that matter in the Spurs game). I think he probably jumps out of the gate hot again here.
First FG Bet for January 25: Joel Embiid (TBD)
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Tipoff – 10:30 pm EST
crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, California
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
As I said prior, all the teams matched up for Thursday’s action are pretty even on the early game action. The Lakers hold the mild advantage in this one though. They’re getting that first bucket roughly 5.2% more often than the Bulls are. In addition, Nikola Vucevic has been pretty bad on the jump. So even though the numbers are much closer for the teams on the jump ball, Anthony Davis has a 23% advantage in this one.
While Davis and LeBron James are the names people associate with the Lakers, neither has been ruling the day when it comes to the first buckets. Instead, they spread the ball around early and we see a lot of early shot from role players. One name that has popped up more often lately is Taurean Prince. He took the first shot last game and has been fairly consistent getting early looks for the Lakers. Because he’s not one of the major names, the number next to his name is going to reflect that as well.
First FG Bet for January 25: Taurean Prince (TBD)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for January 25, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
